Word About Biehn

I was actually apprehensive about seeing Tombstone when it was first released, because I knew Michael had a supporting role in it, and I was afraid he'd be wasted. To my delight, I was wrong. Not only is Michael's role as Johnny Ringo a substantive and memorable one, but the movie itself is a western that does the genre proud.

Tombstone is another retelling of the Wyatt Earp legend, including the famous shoot-out at the OK Corral. However, it goes beyond action to approach its story in more penetrating ways as well. It delves into the people behind the myth. From the Earps and their wives to Doc Holliday to the notorious Johnny Ringo (Michael), Ike Clanton and Curly Bill Brocious, the film shows us the personalities of the players on its stage, and that added dimension of characterization works to engage the viewer's emotions more completely.

Tombstone also dramatizes the age-old conflict between Good and Evil. To do so, it paints its villains blacker and its heroes whiter than does history. However, the resulting victory of righteousness keeps the film true to classic western mythology, where justice always prevails and the good guys always win.

Though Tombstone may not be the perfect film-there are some story gaps and not enough Michael-its many elements gel into a superior whole. It has an intelligent script, which tells a taut yarn and uses character to motivate action. It's balanced and well paced and has an excellent musical score. And it boasts some very effective staging and effects, particularly during its surrealistic thunderstorm, powerfully used to set off the realism of murder.

Finally, its acting is uniformly first-rate. Kurt Russell delivers a strong performance as Wyatt. Val Kilmer is superb as Doc Holliday. And, along with Michael, Stephen Lang and Powers Boothe are perfect as black-hearted "cowboys," loathsome villains one loves to hate.

Of Michael's bad-guy parts, Ringo must stand as his finest. He plays the role with relish, revealing a man full of hatred and bitterness with a "great empty hole right through the middle of him." By the judicious use of chilling calm, a piercing gaze glinted with insanity, and intense rage, Michael creates a despicable cold-blooded killer, a man without conscience, a man without soul. It is masterfully done!

Among the many pleasures Tombstone affords, my favorites include the joy of watching Michael and Val ply their trade to develop the relationship between their two characters. The film draws some intriguing parallels between Doc and Johnny. Both men are obviously educated, with their knowledge of Latin and their verbal "duel" in that language used to illustrate that. Johnny so surprises Doc with his ability to match him phrase by phrase, that Doc even comments on it. Further, they both excel as gunslingers; they are both killers; and they are both fearless. The film pictures them as two sides of the same coin. When Wyatt asks Doc what makes Johnny the way he is, Doc knows. In describing Johnny, he's also describing himself. One gets the feeling that the only difference between Johnny and Doc is Wyatt Earp. Were it not for his friendship with Earp, Doc likely would have gone the same route as Johnny. Thought-provoking character study, indeed.

My favorite scenes? Along with that Latin duel, the follow-up gun- and cup-twirling competition between Johnny and Doc. Michael actually did the trick gun handling himself, and he's very good! Each time I watch, I find myself smiling as he displays his impressive skill.

From its opening scenes and Johnny's translation of the Biblical quote from Revelations-"Behold the pale horse. The man who sat on him was death, and Hell followed with him"-through Wyatt's climactic promise to fulfill that prophecy-"You tell 'em I'm comin', and Hell's comin' with me!"-to the final triumph of Good over Evil, Tombstone stands among the best of Hollywood's modern westerns. It's a must-see for Michael's fans and for western-lovers in general!

Kay